Human Resources Generalist

Job Title: Human Resources Generalist

Department: Executive

Reports To: Director of Human Resources

Position Grade/Level: Confidential A

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time (35 hours/week)

Salary Range: $64,000-89,600 (starting $64,000-70,400)

Work Model: Hybrid



Organization Overview


Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UUSC is a human rights organization that strives to advance human rights, dismantle systems of oppression, and uplift the inherent dignity and power of all people. We focus our work in three intersectional areas of justice: Migrant Justice, Climate and Disaster Justice, and International Justice and Accountability. We center the voices and experiences of those most affected and strengthen those grassroots groups and movements who are organizing themselves to advance these goals, commonly referred to as our “partners.” UUSC believes that those facing injustice are best equipped to define and dismantle systems of oppression and protect their rights to self-determination, equity, and justice; they are the champions for progressive movements for change.



Position Overview


The Human Resources Generalist is responsible for many day-to-day administrative tasks and clerical support for the Human Resources Unit including but not limited to the administration of the agency’s payroll and benefits administration systems. The HR Generalist will play a key supporting role with employee experience and culture building initiatives. This role also performs onboarding tasks and core HR clerical work including creating and maintaining personnel records and providing support for recruiting and hiring processes. This position will be hybrid, with regular work required in the Cambridge, MA office in addition to remote work in a schedule approved by the supervisor. The incumbent can be based in MA, ME, or CT if within commuting distance to Cambridge, MA.



Key Roles and Responsibilities


Benefits & Payroll (35%)

• Act as a liaison with employees, the benefits broker (BBG), and insurance carriers to coordinate enrollment, information changes, and coverage questions or challenges.
• Provide excellent service to employees and the union with benefits and payroll questions and issues.
• Prepare benefits invoice spreadsheets monthly for HR Director approval & Finance processing.
• Download and save copies of required and sensitive benefits records in confidential folders.
• Monitor leave administration status in HRIS, as it relates to payroll and benefits administration; anticipate and raise any issues with the Director.
• Track compensatory time and sabbatical leave accrual and use in separate spreadsheet.
• Track and process employee anniversary gifts and additional approved rewards or bonuses
• Track retirement contribution eligibility and prepare change forms as applicable for Director approval and submission to Finance.
• Edit semi-monthly employee payroll templates when there are changes and prepare payroll detail report for payroll preview meetings with HR Director.
• Remind staff and approvers about timesheets and submit Time & Attendance to payroll.

Onboarding (10%)

• Conduct Orientation for new employees, including review and documentation of I-9 documents, overview of benefits & payroll information, and benefits enrollment process in HRIS.

• Create electronic personnel and benefits/medical folders for newly hired employees.
• Follow-up with employees and managers by the 90-day mark to check-in, collect orientation & onboarding forms, and support as needed.

HR Clerical (35%)

• Create, maintain, and update employee personnel records in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and UUSC policies and procedures.
• Support the development and hosting of culture building events both online and in-person.

• Anticipate and identify forms and processes in need of updates and contribute suggestions.
• Perform other duties as necessary or as directed by supervisor.
• Follow the system for storing files and contribute ideas and solutions to improve the system.
• Support the HR Director and/or Finance Director to liaison with tax jurisdictions to maintain required information in TriNet, process correspondence, and complete related tasks.

Recruiting & Retention (20%)

• Post approved jobs in applicant tracking system (ATS) for hiring manager review & approval.
• Notify Director when jobs are ready for final approval and opening to job boards.
• Track recruiting progress for and communicate with candidates and hiring manager as needed.
• Clean up applicants who are not qualified and other ATS maintenance and reporting.
• Store required recruiting and hiring information in appropriate folders based on regulations.
• Pull recruiting and turnover reports as requested from HRIS.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.



Required and Desired Qualifications

• Minimum three to five years HR generalist experience; desired 5-7
• Required bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent skills & knowledge from experience
• Functional knowledge of payroll, benefits, compliance, and recruiting
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Teams
• HR technology stack working proficiency and troubleshooting capability
• Strong interpersonal communication skills across multiple platforms
• Consistent discretion with sensitive matters and confidential information
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Adept at adapting priorities and helping lead change while not losing track of current practice
• Demonstrates a commitment to human rights and social justice
• Desired SHRM-CP certification
• Desired experience working in a nonprofit organization and in a unionized setting
• Desired working knowledge of AI tools and benefits and risks

Physical Requirements


Physical requirements include the ability to operate a laptop and cellular phone, and other tools as related to the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.


All employees can be based in any state where UUSC is registered as a business, including MA, ME, CT, NY, MD, Washington D.C., PA, VA, NC, FL, GA, WA. Hybrid employees must live within commuting distance to the Cambridge, MA office and be available for weekly commuting to work in Cambridge. Exact expectations are based on the needs of the position and department. This job description does not serve as an employment contract.



Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity


UUSC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. UUSC’s mission affirms and celebrates the inherent dignity and power of every person.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, or you think you may require a religious accommodation, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations, please contact the Human Resources Director, John Howard, at [email protected].

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